Inspiration and motivation on Met Monday!

Good morning, my fellow crafty sisters!

Lately, I've been having a slight hankering for some crafts. 

Like actually doing them instead of buying them already done?

Yeah.  I know.  It surprised me, too.

And what better day to think about this than on Metamorphosis Monday with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch! If you pop over to her blog here
you can see all sorts of befores and afters of incredibly re-purposed treasures. 

Ideas started bouncing around in my noggin when hubby and I were on vacation this spring visiting our favorite southern isle.  Our good friends took us out for a yummy, sweet, calorie-laden, specialty coffee at a quirky little shop in town.

I was not expecting to see what I did when I walked in to this shop.

Breathtaking vignettes of seaside treasures...

mantels full of things that needed a good home...

...and loads of really intriguing, creative crafts done by locals.

What was really unique about this place was that you could shop while you gulped sipped your fattening sweet treat. Tucked between all of these vignettes were brightly painted vintage tables and chairs to sit and chat while my your eyes darted from item item.   

(It was very difficult not to drool into my coffee....)

My mind was whirling with possibilities! I was having craft-overload!

I could do these at home!  

And so could you!

So, I thought I'd share a few of the really simple, but beautiful ideas that you could bounce around in your noggin.  

And isn't the summer the most perfect time to try one of these?

(but drink your coffee first before attempting...) 

Letters cut from wood, adorned with shells, and glued to a piece of vintage wood to hang on your fence, deck, or wall.

An elegant seashell wreath mirror.

A darling wash bucket stenciled with something befitting your home!
(Yup, they were actually using this to collect cups and saucers from customers.  
How cute is that?)

An exquisite lamp adorned with treasures from the sea.

How about actually using all of those shells you've collected over the years to make your ordinary cake tin an extraordinary one?

Simple, sweet Mason jars glittering with sea glass.

A shell encrusted food protector for your picnic at the beach.

Or just drape some crystals on your ironwork planter to really make it sparkle!

Now.....if you REALLY want to impress your neighbors, how about
a post with different signs pointing the way to your most favorite places in the world! 
(You could even add the number of miles to that special place!)

And if you're extremely creative and extremely gutsy and really bored talented....

you could surprise your hubby and paint his car!

Now, wouldn't he just be the most shocked proudest guy on the block?

Happy crafting -
and {hugs} to you all on this Met Monday! 

~ laurie